Hot Air Balloon Experiences
You know you have always wanted to fly in a balloon.
A hot air balloon flight is one of the most frequent "bucket list" items. Paint the picture in your mind of the ground gently moving away as you take in the unique panoramic view while we float with gentle morning breezes and experience the first form of air travel.
Remember the first balloon
flights were a hundred years before the Wright Brothers "first flight".
With us you will NOT be flying with a large group of people you just met in huge baskets.
We specialize in providing personalized balloon rides groups of 2 to 3 passengers per flight. We feel this provides more intimate ballooning experience for you and your fellow passengers
Why not do it? We offer a number of different types of hot air balloon experiences.
Where we fly
We provide hot air balloon experiences year around.
In the summer months we fly from Northern Utah locations such as Park City, Heber City (one of our favorites), Utah County, Salt Lake County and Davis County. Each of these location offer a different perspective and a view that must be savored to be enjoyed
In the winter months we fly in the St George area. It is a great winter destination and viewing the red rock county of Southern Utah is spectacular.
Regardless of the location the peaceful nature of flying in a hot air balloon watching the world slowly go by is an experience you will not forget.
Types of Flights
Hot Air Experience Flights
This is a great way to introduce the joy and fun of a hot air balloon flight. While ideally suited for a couple we off you the unique experience of a hot air balloon flight and, if desired, the opportunity to participate in the inflation, launch and pack up of the balloon.
A small token of thanks for flying with us and a certificate suitable for framing acknowledging that you are now officially an Aeronaut.
Cost for Hot Air Experience Flights: $600. per hour flight for 2 passengers or $850. per hour flight for 3 passengers.
Celebration Flights
Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, promotion at work? Join us for a new perspective from a thousand feet in the air. We strive to make your experience unique to your celebration. Select from one of our preplanned launch sites or let us know if you have a different location in mind. We can work with you to see if that location is possible. You would be surprised from locations we have launched from.
Each flight concludes with a sparkling beverage celebration, a small token of thanks for flying with us and a certificate suitable for framing acknowledging that you are now officially an Aeronaut.
Cost for Celebration Flights: $700. per hour flight for 2 passengers or $900. per hour flight for 3 passengers.
Engagement Flights
Engagements Flights are the one we truly enjoy. We love being part of the planning process to ensure that the secrecy is kept until the right moment. We can offer additional services from "will you marry me" banner placement, floral, photography and video services. We have seen it all and have ideas that may enhance your occasion. Just make sure she will say yes, it becomes a very uncomfortable flight if she says no.
Each flight concludes with a sparkling beverage celebration, a small token of thanks for flying with us and a certificate suitable for framing acknowledging that you are now officially an Aeronaut.
In case you need some ideas here are 7 Tips for Proposing in a Hot Air Balloon.
Cost for Engagement Flights: $800., per hour flight for 2 passengers. Additional services can be arranged as desired.
Wedding Flights
Oh my gosh where do we start with wedding flights. We have done flights with the vows conducted while in flight, vows conducted then having the new couple fly away in their new life, flights where the balloon was the back drop for the ceremony, and even vows conducted inside the envelope. We have even used the balloon as ornamentation at the reception. It is easy for attendees to find the location with a 70 foot balloon in the front yard.
Each flight concludes with a sparkling beverage celebration, a small token of thanks for flying with us and a certificate suitable for framing acknowledging that you are now officially an Aeronaut.
Pricing for Weddings is completely dependent how to use a balloon in the celebration. Cost range would be from $850 to $1,000 per hour plus any additional services requested. We would be happy to discuss options and alternatives.
Tether Flights
Tethered flights are a great way to incorporate a big bright centerpiece to an event or celebration. A typical tethered balloon activity would include setting the balloon up in a prominent area and provide rides up to 50 feet or so for the participants. A typical ride would lift 2-3 adults or 4-6 children at a time. Each lift lasts about 5 minutes from loading the passengers to exiting the basket. We have provided tether rides for business grand openings, family gatherings, event promotion, etc. One key element in planning a tether balloon event is to schedule it during a time period when the winds will be the calmest. Midday is rarely an opportune time. Please call and we can work with you on planning a successful event. A sample Memorandum of understand for tethered events can be found here.
Cost for Tethered Flights: $950. per hour with a two hour minimum. Longer times can be arranged.
So You are Going to Ride in One of Our Balloons. Here is what we want you to know.
We do not accept credit cards. We gladly accept Venmo (@Kent-Barnes-5) , PayPal (Pay.Pal.me/KJBarnes) and of course cash.
A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to reserve the balloon and crew for your flight.
What to plan on:
-
Coordinate with the pilot the day and evening
of the pilot. We are hyper critical in planning the flight. Things
we will be making last minute evaluations on include:
- Location of the meeting point and launch field.
- Time to meet for the flight.
- Have you completed the liability waiver and the COVID-19 questionnaire? Make sure you have read it. The liability waver can be found here and the COVID-19 questionnaire can be found here.
How much time:
- Ballooning takes a team.
- It’s not like an airplane where only the pilot is required for flight.
- It requires 4 people or more to setup, fly and take down.
- The pilot needs and encourages you assistance in not only the setup but also packing up of the balloon.
- While the flight might be anywhere from ½ to 2 hours or more, the setup and takedown can add another 90 min.
- So plan on 3-4 hours of your morning from beginning to end. v
What to wear:
- Don't dress like you're going to a picnic (flip flops, sun dress, etc.). Instead, dress like you're going hiking.
- Closed toe shoes are must. Hiking or walking shoes are encouraged.
- Wear clothing that may get a bit dirty. White is a bad idea around ballooning.
- Most likely you will be asked to assist in helping stuff this enormous sleeping bag back into a little bag.
- In the coldest time of the year, wear layers.
- A parka or jacket is great to have during the initial inflation. We create our own wind chill with a wind from the fan during inflation.
- As the burner (up above your head) produces a great deal of heat, a hat is not needed even in January.
- You will want sunglasses.
- Oh, and don't forget the camera and take lots of memorable pictures.
What to expect in the basket:
- It’s tight quarters so personal space may be a bit cramped. Leave your backpack and camera bags in the car.
- If the pilot does his job there should be nothing but smooth easy motion.
- We do our best for smooth landing but some times Mother Nature throws a curve ball so listen to the pilot for landing instructions.
- People describe it as smooth and tranquil. Although the burner produces quite a unique loud sound. This sound will interrupt conversation: Just repeat your sentence on the next quiet period.
- The pilot most likely very focused on flying the balloon when near ground based objects and when landing. Believe me on this one: you WANT the Pilot to be TOTALLY FOCUSED ON FLYING at this point. Respect a pilot's "focus" time. Distractions can cause problems nobody wants.
- It’s easy to remember to stay in the basket while airborne but STAY IN BASKET ON THE GROUND. DO NOT EXIT THE BASKET UNTIL THE PILOT TELLS YOU TO GET OUT. The Pilot has a higher purpose for your derriere.
Safety:
- When inflating, the fan is the most dangerous thing on the ground. Loose clothing or long hair can get pulled in very easy. The pilot may not be near the fan at times.
- Anything looks wrong, sounds wrong or even smells wrong TURN THE FAN OFF. DON’T WAIT FOR PERMISSION OR ASK FOR PERMISSION. JUST TURN IT OFF. There is no harm in turning off the fan. It can easily be restarted.
Why not allow children?
- In other countries you fall and you get a bruise. In the US you fall and you sue for a settlement.
- We are in a environment where it is important to make you aware of the risks that are inherent in flying balloons. We want you to be aware of the risks. As such we have a waiver of risk that you as an adult must sign prior to participating that wavier can be found here.
- In addition the Utah Supreme Courts has determined that a parent can not sign away the minor’s rights to sue. As a result, our risk management advisors have recommended that we do not fly individuals or children under the age of 18. Sorry about that but in today's litigious society we are not willing to take the risk. IF you want more info here is a link to the Utah Supreme Court case of Hawkins vs. Navajo Trails.
What could go wrong?
- Weather could go wrong. Ballooning is extremely dependent on weather. Pilots can usually know the night before if they will be able to fly the next morning.
- Final checks will be made within a couple hours of the planned flight. If it looks marginal the pilot will error on the side of caution and dash your dreams of flight.
Questions:
- Expect a conversation with the pilot before the flight. The pilot will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
- The pilot will likely have a few questions for you. Such as:
- Any Back, Knee or Hip problems?
- Fear of heights?
- Are you a even little bit pregnant?
- How old are you?
- How much do you weigh?